What happened next was beyond Tang Zhuyun's control as a doctor.
She only said she could treat the three sick people, and then left the rest to them.
Upon returning, the Prince of Jin eagerly said, "I heard your birthday is April 12th, so I've prepared a birthday gift for you."
Tang Zhuyun, her heart filled with sighs, looked bewildered upon hearing this. "Isn't today the twentieth day of the first lunar month?"
The Prince of Jin, his initial enthusiasm suddenly dampened, looked displeased and said irritably, "I'm afraid I won't be there then!"
"Oh," Tang Zhuyun said, "Then thank you very much, Your Highness."
Then she sat down, showing no curiosity about the gift whatsoever, and her thanks were so perfunctory.
The Prince of Jin wanted to grab Song Jingyang by the collar and roar, "You only told me you were going to send a gift, did you say she would behave like this?"
Tang Zhuyun really didn't mean it. She hadn't seen the gift that would later shock and make her burst out laughing, and right now she was filled with emotion, so she had no mind to express her gratitude.
She recounted the entire story of the Wang family affair to Prince of Jin, and sighed, "The one in the most difficult position now is Madam Wang. She certainly can't bear to give up that child, but I'm afraid Eunuch Wang will no longer agree."
This is absolutely disgusting.
Although the child is innocent, as the victim, he has the right to give up.
"Do you intend to keep him as a pet?" asked the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun: "No, I didn't! I was just thinking that I wanted to help him get better so that he could find a good family to marry into."
The relationships behind it are complicated, and she will do her best, but she won't cause trouble for herself.
The Prince of Jin said, "You want to help him cure his illness? No way!"
Is her vitality really that worthless?
"We can't just stand by and watch someone die; that would go against the teachings of our ancestors," Tang Zhuyun said. "Anyway, it'll only take a little time and money; it's nothing serious. Your Highness, please don't worry about it."
Your Highness, you have a broader perspective; you are a man destined for great things!
Prince of Jin: "I told you it's forbidden, and that's final. If anything happens to you, won't you think about... about Linlin and Yanran?"
Tang Zhuyun was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh, "No, really not. I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness, but I'm quite skilled in medicine and know how to protect myself."
The Prince of Jin was still angry, but knowing her stubbornness, he thought long and hard and went to find Nanxing.
"While I am away, you must keep an eye on the Princess and forbid her from rescuing people without authorization."
Nanxing was somewhat surprised, but still bowed her head and obeyed. "Yes."
"Also, I didn't intend to take you with me this time. If you go after them on your own again..."
"This servant wouldn't dare," Nanxing said. "This servant must also protect the young master."
"And the Princess!"
"Yes, this servant will remember."
After Tang Baixin left home, Meng Yulan sent the two children back.
Tang Zhuyun pulled her aside and said, "The snow hasn't melted yet, sister-in-law, you should stay home as much as possible. Wait another month, after the Prince's funeral, I'll move back home. Let me show you the little tiger-head shoes I made; I think they're really well done..."
Meng Yulan smiled and touched her pregnant belly, saying, "No rush, there's still plenty of time. My only worry is being born around the Dragon Boat Festival... especially if it's a girl..."
Girls born on the Dragon Boat Festival are considered unlucky, and many common people simply throw them away or drown them; while noble families don't necessarily go to such lengths, they often dislike such children.
It's difficult for girls to get married even after they grow up, so Meng Yulan is very worried about this.
Tang Zhuyun said dismissively, "That depends on whose family you were born into. In our Tang Family, you are the mistress of the house. If you don't mind, who will?"
Prince of Jin, listening from inside the chamber, ground his teeth in disbelief. What did they Tang Family? She was water spilled on the Prince's estate by the Tang Family!
It was like a bucket of ice water, splashing him with a chill that went straight to his core.
The Prince of Jin felt a pang of sadness as he thought about the gift that had yet to be asked about.
Meng Yulan felt comforted and smiled, saying, "The adults said they wouldn't mind, but I still hope to have a son. If it's a daughter, she'll just be criticized for no reason."
"Then we'll spoil her even more," Tang Zhuyun said. "Our daughter is so sweet, sister-in-law, look how well-behaved Yanran."
Looking at her expression, Meng Yulan sighed, "It's a pity that the Prince didn't leave you any children, but fortunately, Yanran is close to you, and she's no different from your own."
Tang Zhuyun touched her nose. "Hmm."
Meng Yulan then said, "I came today because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Sister-in-law, you say it."
"Please don't let it be about Hongfu," Tang Zhuyun felt she couldn't explain it.
"You've heard about the snow disaster. Many victims are flocking to the capital, and many families have started distributing porridge and medicine. Shouldn't you consider doing the same?" Meng Yulan said. "It's just that I'm currently too heavy-handed, and my status isn't high enough. Otherwise, I thought our household should also do its part."
Tang Zhuyun said, "I've been thinking about this for the past few days. The Prince's funeral hasn't been held yet, is it appropriate for me to go out?"
"Why would you need to go out?" Meng Yulan said. "Just set up a soup kitchen, using the name of the Prince's Mansion. That's what I'm thinking. Although the Prince is gone, you still have a long life ahead of you. You need to keep people thinking about the Prince's Mansion from time to time, so that no one will dare to bully you in the future."
Tang Zhuyun understood this matter. She had to make a fuss and stay relevant from time to time so that she wouldn't be forgotten and no one would care if she suffered grievances.
"Then let's set one up," Tang Zhuyun said.
The Prince of Jin has a bad reputation; he should try to improve it.
Moreover, she had previously thought about doing something for the disaster victims, but her idea was to donate money directly; however, a fundraising campaign has not yet been launched.
Meng Yulan said, "There are many hidden dangers involved. We must find reliable people, prevent them from lining their own pockets, and guard against malicious people causing trouble. We must not let a good thing turn into a bad thing."
"How do you say that?" Tang Zhuyun asked sincerely.
"A few years ago, the Earl of Qingyang's Residence distributed porridge, but many disaster victims vomited and had diarrhea after drinking it, and some even died as a result..."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened. "Someone is tampering with this?"
"Hmm." Meng Yulan said worriedly, "A-Yun, your situation is too difficult. You offended the Seventh Prince before, and the Crown Prince and Prince of Yong probably still remember it..."
"Then I won't set it."
It's better to avoid trouble; self-preservation should be the top priority.
"Even if you don't set one up, you'll still face trouble. It's not just a matter of being forgotten; you'll also be attacked by censors. The Prince of Jin's Residence clearly has the ability, yet it doesn't provide disaster relief. You'll be questioned."
Tang Zhuyun cursed, "Why are there these lousy censors everywhere? Don't they have anything better to do all day?"
The Tang Family is better off; they are destitute and need help from others. They don't have soup kitchens, so no one can compare to them.
"A-Yun, you need to get ready," Meng Yulan said. "With the Prince gone, this vast manor depends on you to keep it afloat."